HYDERABAD,
AUG. 1.
South Central Railway reasserted its supremacy in the domestic circuit with yet another creditable 3-2 win over Artillery Centre to win the Senior State hockey championship, organised by Hyderabad Hockey Association, at Begumpet Police Stadium here on Sunday.

After an insipid first-half when it was apparent that both teams preferred safe play, the second session was rather interesting. With Anil Ekka and Amaldeep Ekka working in tandem upfront, Artillery started with a series of pleasing moves which also saw it earn a penalty-corner which was however wasted.

But in the 39thminute, Paval Lakra showed fine sense of opportunism to latch on to a rebound of his own hit from top of the `D' which was not cleanly stopped by the custodian Tagore Babul. Lark capitalised on the lapse to essay a powerful drive, which sounded the board.

If Artillery thought it would deter the rival from any bouts of aggression, it was clearly surprised by the counter-attack from the railwaymen which came with an equaliser within 45 seconds as Amity Sheri lured the entire Artillery defence before essaying a delectable carpet drive from difficult angle from the left of the `D'.

Soon, it could have been 2-0 for SCR but a long and perfect centre from the left by Johnson Eke was wasted by a crowded forward line inside the `D'. In between Artillery too changed gear and almost surged ahead but Balwinder Singh's acute angle shove from the left of the `D' just sailed over the bar.

On the other hand, it was SCR, which took the lead with a limping Garret Singh still good enough to convert a penalty-corner in the 47th minute. Again, the scores were levelled with an alert Papal Lark capitalising on a goalmouth melee even as a long cross from the right was being taken. He squeezed in enough space to sound the boards for Artillery.

Just when it looked as if the issue would be extended beyond regulation time under overcast conditions, the enterprising Dung on the left flank showed his dribbling skills and executed the match-winner in the 65th minute

In all, both the teams earned five penalty-corners each.

Umesh Kumar, IPS and president of Hyderabad Hockey Association, gave away the prizes.